ABSTRACT
Ficus thonningii (Blume) is considered as a herbal plant with well documented biological activity in the management of several diseases in the tropics. However, there is a gap of information on its safety and proof of efficacy in evidence-based medicine. The objective of this study was to characterize the bioactive metabolites of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Ficus. thonningii and in vivo evaluation of the systemic exposure of the bioactive metabolite. Phytochemical screening was done using standard extraction techniques, and test according to methods adopted from Sofowora and collaborators. Quantitative analysis was done using spectrophotometer of plant extract with different reference standards. Analysis of the animals' plasma following administration of the extract was used to investigate systemic exposure to confirmed the presence of absence of metabolites in systemic circulation. This work shows that F. thonningii (Blume) stem bark hydro-ethanolic extract contains polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, catechic tannins, gallic tannins, coumarins, quinones, phlobatannins. This study shows that the hydro-ethanolic extract of F. thonningii contains total phenolic content of 192,27 ± 3,40 mgEQ/MS g gallic acid and total flavonoid content of 103,59 ± 15,72 mgEQ/MS quercetin. This study shows that the secondary metabolites in the hydro-ethanolic extract of the stem bark of F. thonningii (Blume) were not detected in plasma and not bioavailable.
ABSTRACT
Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with a molecular network analysis strategy was used to identify the chemical constituents of the stem bark of two kinds of asparagus. The chemical constituents were identified by determining an accurate molecular weight, the fragmentation pathway, and comparison with the mass spectrometry data from the references. A molecular network was established based on the similarity of MS/MS fragmentation patterns. A total of 107 compounds were identified or tentatively deduced, which included 46 saponins, 13 flavonoids, and 48 other compounds. The chemical compounds identified in the stem bark of white and green asparagus differed greatly: the white asparagus was rich in saponins, while the green asparagus was rich in flavonoids. In conclusion, the chemical constituents of asparagus stem bark were characterized rapidly using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and molecular network analysis, with 10 compounds and 45 targets determined from the HIT 2.0 herbal ingredients' targets platform. This work will provide a theoretical basis for the resource utilization of asparagus.
ABSTRACT
Ficus bengalensis Linn, called ‘Nyagrodha’ in Ayurveda is a medicinal tree with wide range of uses in Ayurveda. The tree is having many useful parts such as bark, flower, latex, aerial roots etc. Among these, the stem bark which belongs to Panchavalkala in Ayurveda is having high demand in current scenario. Panchavalkala is the group of stem bark of five medicinal species in Ayurvedic system of medicine, which is an ingredient of many formulations. Other than this stem bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn is having many ethno medicinal uses. The drug is used for treating skin disorders, bleeding diseases, various metabolic disorders such as diabetes, dyslipidemia etc. Owing to the high demand of the drug, the adulteration of stem bark of Ficus bengalensis is common. The adulteration mostly happens with stem bark of other Ficus species as well as with the wood portion of the same instead of the bark. Thus here is an attempt to establish the genuineness of stem bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn by method of pharmacognosy and physico-chemical evaluation. The pharmacognostic evaluation includes macroscopic, microscopic evaluation of stem bark as well as the powder macroscopy and microscopy of the same by referring the standards. The physico-chemical evaluation is done by assessing various physico-chemical parameters such as foreign matter, ash values, extractive values, tannin content, sugar content, phenol content etc. Both the pharmacognostical and physico-chemical evaluation has proved the genuineness of the drug.
ABSTRACT
Aims:The study examines effect of aqueous-fraction of ethanolic extractof Balanites aegyptiacastem-bark on enzymes of glucose metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats in a bid to ascertain its anti-hyperglycemic and possible mechanism of action.Methodology:Diabetes was induced in male rats by intra-peritoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight of STZ. Dried powdered Balanitesaegyptiacastem-bark was defatted with hexane and extracted using ethanol followed by solvent-solvent fractionation with water and ethyl acetate. The aqueous fraction (ASF) obtained was subjected to acute toxicity on wistar rats using a gradient dosage, where 1/10thof lethal dose was calculated and used for the study. It was orally administered at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of diabetic rats, metformin (200 mg/kg body wt) serve as reference drug and diabetic/normal untreated rats received 10 % dimethyl sulfurdioxide for the 28 days treatment period. On day 29th, rats were sacrificed; blood and liver samples were collected. Liver tissues were homogenized, centrifuged and the supernatants were used for assay of glucose metabolic enzymes while serum was used for biochemical markers estimations.Results:Results obtained showed no death or lethal effect in the acute toxicity study up to a dose of 4000 mg/kg body wt. Therefore, the LD50value was considered to be more than 4000 mg/kg body wt.Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with ASF showed a significant (P<0.05) reversal effect in activities of the glucose metabolic enzymes assayed compare to untreated diabetic rats. Glucokinase activity was enhanced (2.98±2.23U/min/mg Protein) against untreated diabetic (2.22±0.02 U/min/mg Protein) as well as glycogen synthase (12.48±0.11x10-2U/min/mg Protein) against untreated diabetic (9.41±0.34x10-2U/min/mg Protein. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was suppressed in the diabetic rats received ASF (0.26±0.03 U/min/mg Protein) compare to the untreated diabetic (1.44±0.05 U/min/mg Protein). Glycogen content of the treated diabetic ratswas elevated to 13.77±0.32 mg/g liver against the diabetic untreated rats (10.69±0.32 mg/g liver).A significant reduction in fasting blood glucose was recorded from the ASF treated diabetic rats (290.4±18.4mg/dL) compared to diabetic untreated rats (336.0±11.9mg/dL). Conclusion: The study suggested that Balanites aegyptiacastem-bark may contained compound(s) that has the capacity to reverse the activity of glucose metabolic enzymes to exert antihyperglycemic activity.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Salacia crassifolia (Mart. Ex. Schult.) G. Don. is a bush which belongs to Celastraceae family and occurs specially in Brazilian Cerrado. Its leaves, stem, seeds and fruits are popularly used for several medicinal purposes, such as antitumoral, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. In this study, the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of S. crassifolia stem bark fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic) were evaluated by the Ames mutagenicity assay in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. By the obtained results, all S. crassifolia fractions did not significantly increase the number of prototrophic revertants for histidine (His+) in both S. typhimurium strains tested (p > 0.05), suggesting absence of mutagenicity. Regarding antimutagenicity, the fractions ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic significantly decreased the number of His+ revertants colonies induced by positive control for strain TA98 (p < 0.05), demonstrating protection against mutagenicity induced by 4-nitroquinolile1-oxide, whereas the hexane fraction did not show antimutagenic effect in this strain. In the TA100 strain, all fractions of S. crassifolia protected DNA against the harmful action of sodium azide, and the hexane fraction exhibited the greatest protection in this work. Thus, it's possible conclude that the fractions of S. crassifolia tested in this study could be used in chemoprevention.
Resumo Salacia crassifolia (Mart. Ex. Schult.) G. Don. é uma árvore que pertence à família Celastraceae e ocorre especialmente no Cerrado Brasileiro. Suas folhas, caule, sementes e frutos são popularmente utilizados para vários fins medicinais, tais como antitumoral, antirreumático, anti-inflamatório e antimicrobiano. Neste estudo, nós avaliamos as atividades mutagênica e antimutagênica de frações da casca do caule de S. crassifolia (hexânica, acetato de etila e hidroalcoólica) pelo ensaio de mutagenicidade de Ames em Salmonella typhimurium, cepas TA98 e TA100. Pelos resultados obtidos todas as frações de S. crassifolia não aumentaram significativamente o número de revertentes prototróficas para histidina (His+) em ambas as cepas de S. typhimurium testadas (p > 0.05), sugerindo ausência de mutagenicidade. Em relação à antimutagenicidade, as frações acetate de etila e hidroalcoólica reduziram significativamente o número de colônias revertentes His+ induzidas pelo controle positive para a cepa TA98 (p < 0.05), demonstrando sua ação protetora contra a mutagenicidade induzida por 4-nitroquinolile1-oxide, enquanto a fração hexânica não demonstrou efeito antimutagênico nesta cepa. Na cepa TA100, todas as frações de S. crassifolia protegeram o DNA contra a ação lesiva de azida sódica, e a fração hexânica exibiu a maior proteção desse trabalho. Assim, concluímos que as frações de S. crassifolia testadas neste estudo poderiam ser utilizadas em quimioprevenção.
Subject(s)
Antimutagenic Agents/pharmacology , Salacia/chemistry , Mutagens/toxicity , Salmonella typhimurium/drug effects , Salmonella typhimurium/genetics , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Mutagenicity Tests , 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide/toxicityABSTRACT
Context: The stem bark of Cirabilwa (Holoptelea integrifolia Planch.) is used for treating various disease conditions including Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Colic, Helminthiasis, Vomiting, Skin diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Haemorrhoids and Rheumatism in traditional system of medicine since ancient times. As a part of a proposed clinical study, sufficient quantity of the plant drug was required to evaluate the antidyslipidemic effects, which was procured from market. Aim: This study was designed to identify and compare the pharmacognostical features of the genuine hand collected samples and market samples of the stem bark of this medicinal plant, so as to prove the genuinity of the market samples before using it for clinical study. Materials and Methods: Macroscopic and microscopic methods were applied to determine the diagnostic features of the shade dried samples of the intact stem bark of both samples of the drug and was compared with the available data. Results: The shape, color, thickness, odour, consistency, fracture and surface characteristics were determined. Compound microscope images showed the presence of ray cells, stone cells, starch grains, rhomboidal crystals in both the samples. Conclusion: The study confirmed the identity of both genuine and market samples. Comparable results were obtained which proved the genuinity of the market samples of the stem bark of Cirabilwa (Holoptelea integrifolia Planch).
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT This research is part of a larger study of the Brazilian species that are commonly referred to as "quinas" and used as substitute of Cinchona species. In this study, we have performed the botanical characterization of the stem bark of Remijia ferruginea (A. St.-Hil.) DC., Rubiaceae, by morphological and anatomical description, and the analysis of its chemical profile. Stem bark is thin and has the color and the texture of its external and internal surfaces as diagnostic features. Types and sizes of sclerified cells in the cortical parenchyma and in the secondary phloem are important features for analysis of the transversal sections and in the macerate. Alkaloids, flavonoids and chlorogenic acid were detected in the chemical analysis for TLC. These standard references can be used in the quality control of the bark of quinas.
ABSTRACT
Delonix regia, commonly called Flame Tree or Flamboyant (locally, Gul Mohor) is a common tree traditionally used to treat various diseases like gastric problems, body pain, rheumatic pains of joints and wound healing. Here, we carried out biological profiling of Delonix regia as antiulcer agent. Antiulcer activity of the ethanol extract from stem bark was evaluated on pylorus ligation and indomethacin induced ulcer in Wistar albino rats. Ethanol extract from stem bark of D.regia was administered at the doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 7 days. Ulcer index, gastric pH, volume, free acidity, total acidity, total carbohydrate (TC), protein (P), mucin content (TC/P) and gastric mucus were evaluated in pylorus ligation model, while ulcer index, malondialdehyde, GSH, PGE2, and gastric mucus were estimated in the indomethacin induced ulcer model. Ex vivo assay for the activity of H+/K+-ATPase was also done. The results showed significant inhibition on H+/K+-ATPase in a dose dependent manner and comparableto their respective positive control group of rats demonstrating that ethanol extract of stem bark of Delonix regia possesses significant antiulcer properties.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the stem barks of Pandanus tectorius Soland. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by repeated chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: Ten compounds were isolated and identified as 1'-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1″→6')-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol(2), isovitexin(3), vitexin(4), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester(5), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid ethyl ester(6), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester(7),(+)-lyoniresinol 3a-O-β-glucopyranoside(8),(-)-lyoniresinol 3a-O-β-glucopyranoside(9), and benzyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(10). CONCLUSION: All compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of methanol, acetone and distilled water stem bark extracts from Canarium odontophyllum against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus cereus ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25932, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Acinetobacter baumannii strain sensitive, Candida albicans ATCC 64677, Candida glabrata ATCC 90028, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani M2781. The extracts from C. odontophyllum stem bark from 3.125 mg/ml to 25 mg/ml were screened against the tested microorganisms using disc diffusion method. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the extracts against susceptible organisms were determined using microbroth dilution method and streak-plate technique, respectively. From the antibacterial screening assay, the growth of S. aureus, B. cereus and A. baumannii were inhibited by methanol extract whereas the acetone extract was capable of inhibiting all the tested microorganisms except E.coli, F. solani and A. niger. The lowest MIC value for methanol extract was against A. baumannii (0.195 mg/ml) whereas its MBC value was twice its MIC value (0.391 mg/ml), indicating that methanol extract was bacteriostatic against A. baumannii. While for acetone extract, S. aureus showed bactericidal effect with equal MIC and MBC values at 0.195 mg/ml. In conclusion, stem bark of C. odontophyllum has the potential to be the source of antibacterial agent and can be exploited as an alternative phytoantimicrobial.
ABSTRACT
African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is a disease of concern with ravaging effects on the health of both animals and livestock in tropical Africa. This study investigates the anti-trypanosomal activities of Anogeissus leiocarpus (ALE) and Vitelleria paradoxa (VPE) stem bark extracts and also determines the toxicological profile of the active plant, with a view to establishing the anti-trypanosomal potential and safety of the plants. Laboratory mice (19 g 26 g) and rats (140 g 165 g) obtained from the Animal house, Faculty of Pharmacy, OAU, Ile-Ife were used for the study. The animals were treated according to the standard set criteria for animal use and care. VPE showed neither trypanocidal nor trypanostatic activities while ALE was found to be trypanostatic at 62.5 and 125 mg/kg body weight. However, the partitioned aqueous fraction of ALE was found to demonstrate comparable anti-trypanocidal effect as Diminal (standard agent). In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of A. leiocarpus possesses antitrypanosomal effect through the relative suppression or delay in parasite establishment in trypanosome-infected mice. The toxicological study of A. leiocarpus stem bark extract revealed that it is relatively safe for use in cattle and other grazing animals.
La tripanosomiasis africana de los animales es una enfermedad de preocupación que causa estragos sobre la salud de los animales y el ganado en África tropical. Este estudio investiga las actividades anti-tripanosomal de Anogeissus leiocarpus (ALE) y Vitelleria paradoxa (VPE) del tallo y extractos de corteza. También determina el perfil toxicológico de la planta activa, con el fin de establecer el potencial anti-tripanosomal y la seguridad de las plantas. Ratones de laboratorio (19 g - 26 g) y ratas (140 g - 165 g) obtenidos del Bioterio de la Facultad de Farmacia de la OUA, se utilizaron para el estudio. Los animales fueron tratados de acuerdo con los criterios estándar establecido para el uso y cuidado de animales. VPE mostró actividades no tripanocidas ni tripanostáticas mientras que en ALE se encontró que era tripanostático a 62,5 y 125 mg/kg de peso corporal. Sin embargo, se encontró que la fracción acuosa de ALE demostró un efecto anti-tripanocida comparable como Diminal (agente estándar). En conclusión, el extracto etanólico de A. leiocarpus posee efecto sobre tripanosomas a través de la supresión relativa o retraso en la creación de parásitos en ratones infectados con tripanosomosis. El estudio toxicológico del extracto de corteza del tallo A. leiocarpus reveló que es relativamente seguro para su uso en el ganado y otros animales de pastoreo.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Rats , Combretaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Sapotaceae/chemistry , Trypanocidal Agents/therapeutic use , Trypanosomiasis, African/drug therapy , Toxicity Tests , TrypanosomaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the stem bark of Pandanus tectorius Soland. METHODS: Compounds were isolated by repeated chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as 3-hydroxy-2-isopropenyldihydrobenzofuran-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1), pinoresinol (2), epi-pinoresinol(3), salicifoliol(4), thero-2, 3-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -3-ethoxypropan-1-ol(5), erythero-2, 3-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -3-ethoxypropan-1-ol(6), eudesmin A (7), loliolide (8), pinoresinol-4-O-β-D-glucoside (9), protocate-chuic acid(10), caffeic acid(11), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (12), and ferulic acid (13). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.
ABSTRACT
Aqueous stem bark extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus was phytochemically screened indicating the presence of alkaloids, tannins, anthraquinones, saponins and phenols. Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract using Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as test organisms showed varying zones of inhibition with 10 mm zone of inhibition exhibited by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of extract were 16 μg/ml and 32 μg/ml respectively. Treatment of experimental animals with the aqueous stem bark extract for a period of six weeks and subsequent assessment of its effect biochemically revealed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were significantly higher than normal suggesting certain degree of liver injury. Glucose, cholesterol, total and direct bilirubin as well as total protein levels were significantly higher than normal values with respect to animals treated with 500mg/kg body weight suggesting a dose dependent effect of the extract on the animals. Urea and creatinine levels were slightly lower than normal. Overall, the result of this study showed that the effect of the extract was more pronounced on the liver than the kidney as depicted by the photomicrographs.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To ascertain the antidiabetic and antioxidative effects of ethanol-methanol extracts of leaf, stem bark and root of Jatropha curcas on the blood and liver tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino wistar rats Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku campus between August 2013 and March, 2014. Methodology: Fifty four (54) male albino wistar rats weighing 150- 200g were randomly assigned into nine study groups (n=6). Group I was the normal control, groups II–VI were induced with diabetes using streptozotocin. Group II was untreated, while groups III –VI were treated with leaf, stem bark, root extracts and Glibenclamide (standard drug) respectively. The remaining groups VIIIX were not induced with diabetes but were treated with leaf, stem bark and root extracts respectively. The administration of these extracts lasted for 14 days after which the animals were sacrificed. The liver tissue was collected and homogenized and the supernatant used for the estimation of SOD, CAT and MDA activities. Results: The result of blood glucose level on the fourteenth day of the plant extracts administration, showed further decrease in the groups treated with the plant extracts to the extent that group IV was significantly (P<0.05) decreased compared with the normal control. The blood glucose level of the standard drug (Glibenclamide) treated group (VI) was further decreased however it remained significantly (P<0.05) increased compared with the normal control and about three or more times that of the groups treated with the plant extracts. Result of the liver tissue SOD for the test groups showed significant (P<0.05) difference except for groups IV and VII when compared with the normal control. There was no significant (P≥0.05) difference in the SOD activities of test groups compared with the diabetic control. The liver tissue CAT showed general increase for the test groups, but group III produced a significant (P<0.05) increase compared with the normal control, while groups III and V showed significant (P<0.05) increase compared with the diabetic control. The liver tissue MDA showed significant (P<0.05) increase for groups II and IV but a significant (P<0.05) decrease for group V compared with the normal control. However, compared with group II (diabetic control) all the test groups showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease. Conclusion: The present research suggest that the leaf, stem bark and root of ethanol-methanol (1:1) extracts of Jatropha curcas possess anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant activities but their response to the liver tissue enzyme systems of SOD and CAT vary in either to playing compensatory role or boosting the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. The plant parts also appear to possess the potential for reversing the tissue oxidative damage caused by diabetes as seen by their abilities to prevent lipid peroxidation.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The study was conducted to quantify some phytochemicals present in hydroethanol (absolute ethanol: water 1:1 v/v) and methanol extracts of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark traditionally used in the management of diabetes mellitus. Methodology: Hydroethanol and methanol extracts of H. madagascariensis were separately prepared from the stem bark powder. The quantitative phytochemical analysis of the hydroethanol and methanol crude extracts were carried out by employing standard conventional protocols for total phenols, tannin, saponin, alkaloids, and anthraquinone from plants. Results: Both samples showed the presence of all phytochemicals investigated. The study revealed that hydroethanol extract of H. madagascariensis stem bark contained higher amounts of bioactive compounds (65.72%±3.36, 7.22%±0.20, 2.45%±0.42 and 0.54%±0.04) in comparison with the methanol extract (52.54%±2.35, 3.50%±0.17, 0.60%±0.05 and 0.42%±0.02) for total phenols, tannin, alkaloids, and anthraquinone respectively. Amongst these, only total phenols and tannins were significantly (P<0.05) higher. The exception to this trend was in saponin which was higher in the methanol extract (0.59%±0.06) as opposed to 0.38%±0.11 in the hydroethanol extract. Conclusion: Thus in all phytochemicals studied, hydroethanol extract of H. madagascariensis stem bark was found to be richer than the methanol extract. Saponin was the only exception. It can be concluded that bioactive compounds are more abundant in hydroethanol extract, and this potential could further be exploited in drug development.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the antileishmanial, antimicrobial and antimalarial activities of the pure metabolites from Jatropha multifida used in African ethnomedicine. Methods:The methanolic stem bark extract of Jatropha multifida used in Nigerian folk medicine as remedy against bacterial infections was subjected to column chromatography and HPLC analyses to obtain three known metabolites, microcyclic lathyrane diterpenoids (1-3). Structures were confirmed by comparison of 1D and 2D spectral data with literature. Results: The three compounds exhibited inhibition of antileishmanial, antimalarial and antimicrobial actions against the tested organisms with compouds 2 and 3 active against Cryptococcus neoformans at IC50 of 8.2 and 8.7 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The research lends support to the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in combating microbial infections, leishmaniasis and malarial infections.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antileishmanial, antimicrobial and antimalarial activities of the pure metabolites from Jatropha multifida used in African ethnomedicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The methanolic stem bark extract of Jatropha multifida used in Nigerian folk medicine as remedy against bacterial infections was subjected to column chromatography and HPLC analyses to obtain three known metabolites, microcyclic lathyrane diterpenoids (1-3). Structures were confirmed by comparison of 1D and 2D spectral data with literature.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three compounds exhibited inhibition of antileishmanial, antimalarial and antimicrobial actions against the tested organisms with compouds 2 and 3 active against Cryptococcus neoformans at IC50 of 8.2 and 8.7 µg/mL, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The research lends support to the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in combating microbial infections, leishmaniasis and malarial infections.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the antileishmanial, antimicrobial and antimalarial activities of the pure metabolites from Jatropha multifida used in African ethnomedicine. Methods: The methanolic stem bark extract of Jatropha multifida used in Nigerian folk medicine as remedy against bacterial infections was subjected to column chromatography and HPLC analyses to obtain three known metabolites, microcyclic lathyrane diterpenoids (1-3). Structures were confirmed by comparison of 1D and 2D spectral data with literature. Results: The three compounds exhibited inhibition of antileishmanial, antimalarial and antimicrobial actions against the tested organisms with compouds 2 and 3 active against Cryptococcus neoformans at IC
ABSTRACT
Among other ethno medicinal uses, Mitragyna inermis have been claimed by traditional medical practitioners in northern Nigeria to be an effective anti-diabetic agent. The hypoglycaemic effect of the ethanol extract of M. inermis on blood glucose levels of alloxan induced diabetic albino rats have been investigated. The results revealed that the plant possessed hypoglycaemic activity. Doses of 250, 350 and 450mgkg-1 body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.) were administered to the rats but the 350mg/kg-1 dose exhibited the highest hypoglycaemic potentials. The LD50 value (1600mgkg-1) recorded on the ethanol extract of stem-bark of M. inermis indicated that it is slightly toxic but could be used safe on human at lower doses. Silica gel column fractionation of the ethanol extract of M. inermis led to the isolation of a pure compound 1, 5-cholesten-3-phenyl-22, 24-β-diketone. 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy have been used jointly to determine the conformation of the compound.
ABSTRACT
In the objectives to know the phytochemical constituents in Triplochiton scleroxylon aqueous, ethanol (50%) stem bark extracts and powdered stem bark were subjected to preliminary phytochemical examinations. The phytochemical tests were conducted using standard methods of analysis. The results of analyzes reveal presence of the following phytochemicals: carbohydrate, saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids and phlobatannins. Quantitative analysis showed the highest yield of tannins (12.67%) and lowest yield of phenols (0.06%). Saponin was 2.23% and flavonoid 0.69%. The presence of these important phytochemicals in the stem bark of Triplochiton scleroxylon play very vital roles in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (ethnomedicine) in some parts of Nigeria.